Jide Kosoko, one of Nollywood’s most respected actors, has revealed that despite six decades in the industry, he does not consider himself wealthy.
Speaking on The Honest Bunch podcast, the 71-year-old actor acknowledged that he lives comfortably but stressed that piracy has drained financial opportunities for many entertainers.
“I thank God I can eat three square meals. But can I claim to be a rich man by Nigerian standards? No,” Kosoko stated.
The legendary actor called for stricter penalties against piracy, arguing that the current copyright laws do little to deter those profiting from stolen content.
“Someone who has been pirating people’s work for years is a billionaire. How much do you want to fine him? N500 million? He will just bring it out of what he has stolen. But if you attach a 20-year jail sentence with no option of a fine, people will refrain from piracy,” he said.
Kosoko, who started acting as a child in 1964 with the TV production Makanjuola, has featured in countless Nollywood films in both English and Yoruba. However, his revelation raises critical questions about financial sustainability in the Nigerian film industry.
